Fired officers allege Open Meetings violations

Texas Rangers will be asked to investigate allegations by Kerens police officers that their recent firings involved violations of the state's Open Meetings Act.

The entire police department, including the chief and five officers, and the judge were dismissed Friday because of what city officials described as financial considerations.

Navarro County District Attorney Steve Keathley said Monday after meeting with the fired officers and fired municipal judge that he would ask for the Rangers' help, a step he said was customary so there is no bias involved.

"My main concern is the law and order situation for the eastern part of the county, primarily the Kerens area," Keathley said in a story in Tuesday's Corsicana Daily Sun.

Sheriff Les Cotten said he met last week with three Kerens officials about providing law enforcement during a reorganization.